Animals as FoodArchive of Comments and Discussions - Questions and Answers From All-Creatures.org

By Jennifer Bohrman - 4 Jan 2006

Dear Mary & Frank,

Thank you very much for getting back to me so promptly. I appreciate your
politeness and honest opinions.

In your letter, you questioned how I can condone meat-eating, yet possess
a knowledge of the abuse suffered by countless animals in the meat industry
as well as a deep love and respect for all creatures. I realize my opinions
may seem contradictory, so I will happily explain my reasoning here.

To me, discontinuing society's meat, egg, and dairy industries is neither
realistic nor necessary. It is encouraging to “dream big”, but we must
realize that slaughterhouses, butcher shops, delicatessens, farms, ranches,
packaging plants, trucking businesses—these prosperous contributors to not
only our food market, but our national economy in general, indispensable
sources of employment & income to hundreds of thousands of citizens—are not
simply going to disappear any time soon. Even if you and other animal rights
advocates managed to convince the majority of the nation to stop eating
meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream—in other words,
persuaded the millions of this country to adopt a less-than-nutritious diet
of fruit, veggies, carbohydrates & soy (which I'd hail as truly miraculous)
it would still require enormous effort to end all the jobs and companies
dependent on the manufacture and sale of meat and dairy products. Can you
imagine how many businesses would suffer from this action? I'll admit it is
easier to imagine suffering businesses than suffering animals, but what
about the owners and workers whose livelihoods depend on these giant
corporations? Just think of all the restaurant chains, supermarkets,
factories, farms, advertisers… I’d say getting Americans off meat & dairy
would be about as unproblematic as cutting off the nation’s petroleum
supply. Attempting to halt these monster food industries is about as
practical as trying to end the sale & use of telephones or computers. It is
far too idealistic a goal.

Like I have said before, I fully understand how much inhumane treatment
occurs today, and I find it sickening too. I can’t say that browsing the
appalling stories and photos posted on your site doesn’t bring me to tears.
Personally, it is sometimes difficult for me to imagine the miserable life
likely suffered by the chicken, cow, or fish that I am consuming whenever I
dine on meat. This is why I only eat the "healthy & happy" eggs laid by my
own pet hens, and why I look forward to the fall and winter months when my
family and I can dine largely on venison and wild poultry from the deer and
other game that my father and brother bring in during the hunting season.
When I eat deer or wild turkey meat, I think about the animal I am
eating—sometimes I even thank that creature for the sustenance it has given
me. I know that the animal has lived a full and natural life, even if a
short one, and I feel a connection between that animal's life and my own
life. It is a wholesome, heartening feeling. But even when I eat chicken or
pork or beef purchased from the supermarket, I like to acknowledge, in my
mind, the animal which has been sacrificed for my meal. I like to thank that
animal for giving me nourishment, for fueling my body—I like to tell that
dead animal that, even though it may have lived a miserable life, it has
made a contribution to mine, and I am grateful. And sometimes, I even tell
that animal that I will try to repay its kindness by striving to improve the
lives mistreated creatures. Though I’d like to believe it, I don’t know if
cows and pigs and chickens possess spirits that live on after their bodies
decompose, but I do know that when I speak to the animals I eat, I am
sending out my loving, positive energy into the Universe for all to benefit
from, and that gives me satisfaction.

No doubt there are many despicable businesses out there. But I think
there are many reputable farms, slaughterhouses and markets than you at
all-creatures.org fail to give credit to. Last year, I took a course that
focused for nearly the whole semester on factory farms and animal rights
issues, and during that time I learned of many rising businesses from which
I’d be proud to get my meat & dairy products. For instance, my college
roommate’s father owns and runs a duck hatchery. The ducks raised at the
hatchery are eventually sold for their meat, but they are free-range animals
and raised with much love and care. It is quite apparent that the ducks are
happy and healthy animals, even if they are raised for slaughter. This
summer, when my family and I were vacationing out west, we drove by
countless sprawling cattle ranches. The cows on these ranches had miles of
open space over which to roam—acres and acres of grass and shade and streams
and sunlight, as far as the eye could see. I remember gazing along these
beautiful pastures and thinking to myself, “I wouldn’t mind the life of one
of these cows myself!” It made me happy to see such places where livestock
were given freedom and space to grow and live out full lives before their
slaughter.

There are farms and companies out there who are working to improve things
for animals. They are few & far-between, but I think they are gaining & will
continue to gain respect and prominence. They are playing an important role
in ending senseless animal cruelty, and as consumers, we can play our part
by supporting them. My family and I buy organic products whenever possible,
and have decided to stop giving our money to “fast food” joints, which are
probably most guilty of mistreating animals. As informed citizens, we can
send the message that factories and industries will not get our business
until they incorporate safe, humane methods and practices; we can focus our
attention and our dollars on respectable farms and markets where we know the
food is organic, nutritious, safe, and chemical-free, where we know the meat
comes from happy, healthy animals. In my opinion, we can’t ask for more than
that.

I am optimistic enough to hope that conditions will slowly improve from
animals raised for our commercial industries. As humans, we eventually
recognize and try to change the error in our ways. We can unite our
innovations and ideas & make compromises in order to work toward a goal of
more humane practices, but this is going to happen in small, easy steps.
Drastic measures, radical attempts, simply won’t do the trick.

Thanks again for taking the time to hear what I have to say and respond
to me so considerately. Best of health & happiness to you and your loved
ones this new year.

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